4 Career Tips All Successful Millennials Utilize

You’re coming of age in a different world than your parents’ world. The job market is very different and rewards very different things. The market, for example, seems to reward passion more than it ever has, and above most other things. Successful millennials understand this and adapt accordingly.

With that in mind, here are 4 unconventional tips for any millennial starting out in their career.

1. Take the time to travel

This is definitely not the standard starting-out advice, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good advice. So if you’re interested in other countries or other cultures, take a year and travel. Expose yourself to life in third-world and developing countries. Volunteer. No employer will look down at you for having taken that time to learn and expand your worldview, especially if you can build it into a broader narrative of what kind of career you’re looking for.

2. Go by who you are, not what you earn

Take a career test to figure out what you enjoy doing the most and what you’re best (or worst) at. Then, once you know, don’t set yourself up for misery or failure at a job doing something you’re just not suited for. No amount of money will make you happy in a bad situation. Do what you like and what you’re good at, and the rest will fall in place.

3. Now is the time to go for broke

You’ll never be as free to take financial risks as you are now, while you don’t have children or a mortgage. Use this time to start businesses or pursue new ideas (or travel). Even if they fail, you’ll learn an immense amount that can make a huge difference in the rest of your professional career.

4. Be an entrepreneur

Again, now is your time to take risks. So many people want to be entrepreneurs and never give themselves a chance to try. If you’re an idea person, go for it. Worst case scenario: your venture fails. It will teach you something valuable about the next!

Keep in mind you’re in an amazing place in your life and career. Don’t waste your moment being too careful or risk averse. Go after what you want while you have time!